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Kepone (Chlordecone)

Kepone, also known as chlordecone, is a toxic, nonbiodegradable
insecticide that a chemical plant in Hopewell, Virginia dumped into the James River from 1966 until 1975. The chemical's negative effect on the
environment was documented and eventually publicized, leading authorities to shut down the Allied Chemical Corporation plant that
produced Kepone and to order fishing bans and advisories. The environmental and medical scandal was one of the first of its kind
to play out nationally, and while it eventually led to the destruction of the Virginia fishing industry, it also led to improved
environmental awareness. MORE...

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Kepone is the proprietary name for
decachloroocta-hydro-1,3,4,-metheno-2H-cyclobuta[cd]-pentalene-2-one, a synthetic chlorinated insecticide. The drug was patented
in the 1950s by Allied Chemical and introduced in 1958 as a virtually invincible compound to combat leaf-eating insects, ants, roaches, and fly larvae.
Between 1966 and 1975, Allied Chemical, with contractor Life Sciences Products, produced Kepone at a small plant in Hopewell,
Virginia, along the James River. At its highest output level, the factory produced 3,000 to 6,000 pounds of Kepone per day by
operating day and night. The wastes were dumped directly into the James River. Local, state,
and federal authorities overlooked safety regulations or made exceptions, in large part because chemical production was Hopewell's
biggest industry.

The citizens of Hopewell discovered the effects of this dumping in 1975, when an employee of Life Sciences, who suffered from a
peculiar case of uncontrollable shivering, was determined to have high levels of Kepone in his blood. Almost immediately, the
plant was shut down. Studies were released demonstrating Kepone's negative effects on neurological and reproductive systems, as
well as the liver, skin, and vision. Meanwhile, analysis showed that Kepone was found throughout the James, in its sediment, and
all over Hopewell.

In December 1975, commercial and sport fishing were banned and a warning was issued to
anyone who privately caught fish in the James River or any of its tributaries. Any fish with more than 0.1 parts per million
Kepone was considered dangerous to human health. Eventually this level was raised to 0.3 parts per million, where it remains
today. The fishing industry had disintegrated by the time the commercial fishing bans started to lift in May 1980. Even after
that, Americans, wary of the Kepone scandal, refused to buy seafood from Virginia. Hundreds of fishermen went out of business.
Allied Chemical and Life Sciences, meanwhile, were sued by former workers, residents, and fisherman and found liable for more than
$200 million in damages.

Today, Hopewell and the James River have largely recovered from the Kepone scandal. The fishing bans have all been lifted and
corrupted sediment has been covered by new sediment. The plant's toxic soil and residue were removed and buried in a salt
mine.

Time Line

1966–1975
- The Allied Chemical Corporation dumps Kepone, a toxic, nonbiodegradable insecticide, into Virginia's James River. Its effect on the environment is eventually publicized, leading authorities to shut down the Allied Chemical Corporation plant that produced the chemical and to order fishing bans and advisories.

July 24, 1975
- After employees of Hopewell's Life Sciences factory suffer from uncontrollable shivering and twitching, it is determined they have high levels of Kepone in their blood and Life Sciences voluntarily shuts down the factory.

December 1975
- As a result of the presence of the chemical Kepone, commercial and sport fishing are banned and a warning is issued to anyone who privately catches fish in the James River or any of its tributaries.